Strax and the two women discussed further ns to infiltrate the Auction... However...


    "We don''t have enough people..." Strax murmured; the n itself wasn''t simple, it wasrge and extensive and heavily depended on one factor:


    Power


    Cristine could kill all the Central Leaders of the Guild with Yennifer, but… there were at least two hundred men there for security, and… that was justifiable.


    A Divine ss Item.


    Although they themselves didn''t have this ssification, they knew it was something truly superior and couldn''t be minimally overlooked in terms of protection. So yes, at this moment there was a significant impasse in all these ns.


    There were too many of them…


    "We have no choice but to do everything stealthily." Cristine said, she was already inclined towards this n, but it was just n A. The two were great assassins, so it was obvious that the best n was stealthy given their skillsets.


    However… they couldn''t rely on something that could very well go wrong, especially a heist followed by murder.


    One mistake and everyone could die. Not because they were weak, far from it, but… there were many, and numbers surpass individual strength at some point.


    They weren''t Emperor-Level Cultivators, at most they were Grandmasters. And the difference between a Master and a Grandmaster wasn''t as enormous as it was made out to be, and that was exactly the current problem.


    "It''s not possible to do this." Strax said, analyzing the map Yennifer had shown; there were patrol routes, secret paths, and even points of interest like empty rooms where there could be treasures.


    Despite being an underground facility… "The main hall of the mansion is vast, there are points we can explore, but the security is high. We need someone involved with the Auction in some way, even if it''s just a buyer." Strax thought.


    He had an idea, but he didn''t know yet how valid it could be, so… He sighed: "I know someone." He said in a somber tone, and the two looked at him, waiting for him to continue.


    "She''s sick, but… I believe she would help. And she''s in the city now… Although she has an annoying servant with her." Straxmented bitterly; he didn''t like Lyana much.


    "I didn''t want to involve people—" "You don''t understand, Ginseng is her chance to live longer. She has a Mana disease, she''s here because of that. And honestly, I don''t know if she''ll have the money to buy it, especially since… She was attacked on the way here." Strax said; now they understood…


    "So, you want to give her the Ginseng in exchange for her help… I understand…" Yennifer said, it wasn''t a bad idea, but… "Still…" She murmured.


    Strax looked at the two, who seemed a bit apprehensive, so he made a simple move just to buy time. "Let''s do this, I''ll try to talk to her first and see what she thinks, then I''lle back here. When is the auction?" He asked, and Cristinemented "It was postponed, it should happen in a week."


    "I see… So we have plenty of time." Strax said while thinking about what could be done… ''We need people…'' He thought, searching his memories for what he might find…


    ''Rogue… a contract then… if we consider how much we''d gain from this… we can afford a personal army, people won''t be the problem… the problem is always loyalty.'' He thought as he got up.


    "Is there anything else I should know?" He asked while stretching; sitting on the floor was really ufortable.


    Cristine sighed, "The leaders'' council isposed of five men, all at Master level, and they can beplicated to deal with. They are all experts in their weapons and really powerful and experienced cultivators…" She said. "I understand, then I''ll talk to my wives, we''lle up with some ns." He said, and then, finally said goodbye to them.


    "You know where to find me." Strax said and started walking down the tunnel towards the exit, leaving the two sisters looking at each other...


    "I thought he was more..." Yennifer murmured. "Aware? He''s crazy, he''s really already thinking about how to make this work... I wish I understood what motivates him..." Cristine murmured; indeed, Strax was someone she wanted to understand more, to get closer to...


    Yennifer saw the gleam in her sister''s eyes and couldn''t help but make a small tease...


    "You''re all smitten with him, aren''t you?" She said with a smile, while her sister looked back at her with apletely red face. "W-what are you saying! He''s married!" She quickly responded, and Yennifer shrugged, "Someone with multiple wives can have one more," shemented soothingly, making Cristine''s face almost burn with the embarrassment she was feeling.


    Her own sister saying that! It was so hard!


    "D-don''t talk nonsense! I don''t want any of this! I might not evene back alive after all this! I''ve already said it!" Cristinemented, enraged...


    "Do you really think I''ll let that happen?" Yennifer said in a somber tone... "Want to kill yourself to kill them? How foolish... Mom would never want something like that," she said, her tone truly heavy...


    "You don''t know what she would have wanted." Cristine replied equally.


    They continued trading barbs, but... They barely knew they were being watched... Of course, he wouldn''t leave without understanding what was really driving them; was it a sad story? Yes, undoubtedly, but... Sincerity doesn''te through stories...


    "So you intended to sacrifice yourself... what irony, isn''t it..." Strax murmured, "Wanting a well-made n but already epting you''d die in the end... What a big idiot you are, huh..." He said while turning to leave.


    They didn''t feel him; why? The cloak was working perfectly...


    "A perfect n... with no ws and no pointless deaths..." Strax murmured, his eyes glowing a crimson red like blood.


    "It''s time to pay a visit to this ''Rogue'' that Samira so wants me to stay away from..." He murmured as he left the tunnel.


    Strax returned to the inn where his wives were staying.


    Entering the main hall of the inn, he saw Samira, Beatrice, and Monica talking at a table near the window.


    The soft light from themps reflected on their faces, giving them a serene and calm appearance.


    Samira looked up and noticed Strax''s worried expression as he approached them.


    Without needing words, she felt that something serious was happening.


    The other two also noticed the change in Strax''s tone and stayed alert.


    "We need to talk," Strax said in aplicated tone. He approached the table and sat down, signaling for them to sit as well.


    Samira crossed her arms, her gaze fixed on Strax. "What happened? Did something go wrong? I don''t like that look on your face."


    Strax took a deep breath and began to exin everything he had discussed with Cristine and everything he had discovered.


    Beatrice frowned. "And how do you n to deal with this? We need to find a solution before the auction happens. We need that Dragon Heart if it''s that important."


    "Exactly," Strax agreed. "They have an infiltration n involving using secret routes and blending in with the guests. However, it''s risky. There are many critical points, and the security is intense. We need more support to make the n viable."


    Monica, with a contemtive expression, asked: "What do you suggest we do? I''m sure you''ve already thought about Evelyn; she should be a great asset."


    "I''ve thought of something," Strax said, "But I need someone who is established in the city, with contacts, and who won''t kill me for suggesting this, since apparently, I feel like my head is in a guillotine." Strax said ironically as everyone looked at Samira, who already understood very well what he meant...


    "No chance." Samira replied without hesitation. "I refuse to introduce you to that strange cheetah I have to call a friend." She added.


    Strax sighed and looked at Samira with a resigned expression. "I understand you have your reservations, but the situation is critical. Rogue has the contacts and local knowledge we need. And, if I''m being honest, our time is running out. We don''t have another viable option right now."


    Beatrice frowned at Samira''s response, clearly surprised by the intensity of her feelings. "Samira, I don''t think she''s that big of a risk... I mean, why the jealousy?"


    Samira looked at Beatrice with a firm, tired gaze, as if waiting for a moment to vent. "Do you really want to discuss this? Fine. He''s already sleeping with mother and daughter, nning to sleep with the sister and the stepmother, and then the twin sisters. And you think, in any world, this man won''t want to sleep with my friend?


    Let''s be honest, he''s aiming to screw two dragons and that phoenix is on his list too."


    "Samira, it''s not quite like that..." Strax tried to speak but


    Samira interrupted him, visibly annoyed. "You don''t understand. It''s not just about jealousy... Sure, there''s a bit, but I don''t want to hear from my friend that my husband''s..." Before she could finish, Monica covered her mouth.


    "Look where we are. Don''t say things like that!" Monica murmured irritably as some nces turned toward their table.


    "You''re talking as if I''m a perverted maniac," Strax retorted.


    "Oh really? Want to bet?" Samira said.


    "Okay, let''s bet."


    ...


    [An hour and a halfter...]


    ...


    "I liked her," Strax said, looking at the blonde woman in front of him with a prating smile.


    "I want to kill myself," Samira said, hitting her forehead with the palm of her hand.